Growing Together
There is something special about August in Hays County. As summer begins to wind down and families prepare for a new school year, we're reminded that our community is built on the connections we share—with our children, our neighbors, and even our beloved pets.
This month, we're celebrating the people and organizations that help our families thrive.
We begin with a local guide to making memories close to home. National and local influencer April Marie of @itsaprilmarie takes us Toddling Around Austin , sharing some of the best family-friendly destinations and experiences throughout Southwest Austin and the surrounding area.
We're also shining a spotlight on the arts through Angela Burchfield and Burchfield Educational Theatre. Her vision goes far beyond the stage, creating opportunities for children to build confidence, develop creativity, and discover their unique voices in a supportive environment.
For parents navigating the challenges of early childhood, Michelle Read of MR Sleep Solutions offers hope and practical guidance in Chaos to Calm . Known by many as the "baby whisperer," Michelle helps families find the rest, routines, and peace that can transform everyday life.
This issue also highlights the heart of our community through two inspiring stories of service. In Fresh Cuts for Fresh Starts, meet Toni, who helps local students head back to school with confidence by providing free haircuts, school supplies, and support to families in need. In Packed with Care, discover how Ancora Ministries is fighting weekend hunger by providing backpacks filled with nutritious food for children who may otherwise go without when school is out.
As we celebrate kids, we also recognize the four-legged family members who bring joy, comfort, and unconditional love into our homes. Throughout our City List section, you'll find local organizations dedicated to rescuing, protecting, and caring for pets, along with ways you can support their important work.
Whether you're chasing toddlers, applauding a young performer, preparing for the first day of school, supporting a child in need, or cuddling with a rescued pet, this issue is a reminder that small acts of care create stronger communities.
Thank you for being part of what makes Hays County such a remarkable place to call home.
JILL KING, PUBLISHER @HAYSCITYLIFESTYLE
August 2026
PUBLISHER
Jill King | Jill.King@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
JoAnn Chang | joann.chang@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Julie Fustanio Kling | julie.kling@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Julie Fustanio Kling, Samantha Daviss, Jill King, Ashley Brown
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
April Rankin, Cuts for Kids, Radical Church, @itsaprilmarie, Buda Chamber of Commerce, Buda EDC
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad
LAYOUT DESIGNER Liz Nixon
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick
Proverbs 3:5-6 Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
With City Lifestyle’s co-branded print + digital packages, your business captures attention wherever our community is looking. Build unmatched local credibility on the page, and drive immediate action online.
Ready to double your local reach? Contact your local publisher by scanning below.
Elevating Every Move
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Perspire Sauna Studio - Kyle 2: Buda Ice Cream Shoppe Grand Opening. 3-4: Opening of Austin Angels in Buda, Texas. 5-7: Ribbon Cutting for Hays City Lifestyle at Perspire Sauna Studio in Kyle
APRIL RANKIN
APRIL RANKIN
AUSTIN ANGELS/BUDA EDC
BUDA DRUGSTORE/BUDA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
APRIL RANKIN AUSTIN ANGELS/BUDA EDC
APRIL RANKIN
Four Years and Going Strong !
Nest Mortgaging is proud to celebrate four years of serving homebuyers, homeowners, and real estate investors throughout Central Texas. What began as a passion for educating and helping people achieve homeownership has grown into a trusted local mortgage brokerage built on relationships, service, and advocacy. We are incredibly grateful to our clients, Realtor partners, and community supporters for their trust. We look forward to continuing our mission of helping more families achieve their homeownership goals.
Photography by Nest Mortgaging
Buda Drug Store Turns 20!
For 20 years, Buda Drug Store has proudly served the community as a locally owned and operated pharmacy. When they first opened, there was only one pharmacy serving the Buda/ Kyle area. Today, despite 12 competing pharmacies, they continue to thrive thanks to the loyalty of customers— many who have been with them since the beginning. "It has been a true honor to provide healthcare services with a personal touch."
An Evening of Impact — Angel Ball: Coming Home
Celebrate a new chapter for children and families experiencing foster care with the opening of the Austin Angels Foster Care Community Center in Buda. On September 26th, Austin Angels will host their annual Angel Ball Gala at the Community Center. Join them in celebrating what's been built, the lives being changed, and the hope ahead.
Photography by Austin Angels
the CITY LIST
SESSENISUB
Animal Focused Volunteering
We have such amazing, innovative business leaders in our community who are proud to serve you, our residents, with class and quality. We’ve compiled some of our top company picks for the services that might be on your mind this month in an effort to make your lives a little easier.
Want to suggest a monthly pick?
GET IN TOUCH AT CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/HAYS
Wimberly Adoption Group and Rescue https://www.wimberleywagrescue.org/ | 512.847.3200
PAWS Shelter of Central Texas https://pawsshelter.org/ | 512.268.1611
Animal Trustees of Austin https://www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit/4c744c78007244feb2351a9f7873a51a-animaltrustees-of-austin-austin | 512.587.7729
San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter https://www.sanmarcostx.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/2604 | 512.393.8000
Prevent a Litter of Central Texas https://www.preventalitter.com/ | 512.754.7257
Kid Friendly Volunteering
Hays Clothes Closet https://www.hayscisd.net/page/clothescloset | 512.268.2141
Buda Public Library https://www.budalibrary.org/ | 512.295.5899
Austin Habitat for Humanity https://austinhabitat.org/ | 512.478.2165
Hays County Food Bank http://www.haysfoodbank.org/ | 512.392.8300
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church https://www.ststeve.org/ | 512.847.9956
WHITE GREEN, & Community
Celebrating community, partnerships, and the launch of Hays City Lifestyle
ARTICLE BY JILL KING | PHOTOGRAPHY BY APRIL RANKIN
The launch of Hays City Lifestyle called for a celebration that reflected everything the publication stands for—community, connection, and local business. After four successful inaugural editions, the Green and White Pickleball Launch Party brought together advertising partners, readers, and community leaders for an evening of networking, wellness, and fun.
Hosted at Racfit, Buda’s premier racquet and wellness facility, the event celebrated the businesses and individuals who have supported the magazine since its launch in January. Guests arrived dressed in festive green and white attire and enjoyed pickleball play, facility tours, great food, and meaningful conversations throughout the evening.
The beautiful venue provided the perfect backdrop for building relationships and strengthening partnerships. Guests had the opportunity to meet fellow business owners, connect with community members, and experience firsthand the collaborative spirit that makes Hays County such a special place to live and work.
The evening featured food, drinks, desserts, and prize giveaways generously provided by local business partners. From barbecue sliders and sweet treats to wellness experiences, wine tastings, and specialty gifts, every contribution reflected the generosity and support of the local business community.
Capturing the energy of the event was Twinty Photography, documenting the laughter, competition, and connections made throughout the celebration. Whether on the pickleball courts, around the dinner tables, or gathered for photos, guests embraced the opportunity to come together and celebrate local success.
More than a launch party, the event represented the mission behind Hays City Lifestyle. Through print, digital, social media, META, events, and community engagement, the publication is committed to helping local businesses build credibility, visibility, and trust while strengthening connections throughout Hays County.
Special thanks to our event sponsors and prize contributors: Racfit, Austin Medicine, Taste on Main, Smokey Mo’s BBQ, Lune Sucrée Patisserie, Sweetwater Cookies, Splendid Aesthetics, Perspire Sauna Studio, Driftwood Estate Winery, Buda Mill & Grain, Reliable Auto Service, MR Sleep Solutions, Tovar Financial Solutions, and Twinty Photography.
Want to partner with Hays City Lifestyle? Visit citylifestyle.com/hays.
From Chaos to Calm
Building Healthy Sleeping Habits for Babies
The saying “never wake a sleeping baby” has largely been debunked. In its place, sleep experts recommend that parents establish healthy daytime sleep routines to help children consolidate their sleep at night.
During sleep, the brain is hard at work–supporting rapid development, consolidating learning, forming memories, and strengthening neural connections. Sleep also plays a vital role in language development, motor skills, emotional regulation, physical growth, and immune system repair. So uninterrupted sleep is especially beneficial.
Knowing all of this can be overwhelming to parents who struggle to get their babies and toddlers to fall asleep–and stay asleep. That’s why more families are turning to certified sleep consultants like Michelle Read, of Buda. Her company, Michelle Read Sleep Solutions, works with parents of newborns through 4 years old to teach their little ones how to put themselves to sleep without using a cry-it-out method.
“Sometimes you need to wake a sleeping baby,” says Michelle, who has been training parents in the Austin area and beyond since 2022. One reason to wake them up is to keep a set feeding schedule. Adequate daytime calories help babies consolidate their nighttime sleep more quickly.
ARTICLE BY JULIE FUSTANIO KLING PHOTOGRAPHY BY APRIL RANKIN
If a child falls asleep by feeding, rocking, holding hands, or other forms of assistance, they will rely on those same sleep props each time they transition between sleep cycles.
“Most of the time, a baby wants to be asleep – they just don’t yet know how to get there on their own,” Michelle says. “There are so many little things that mom and dads can do from day one – simple habits that help your baby sleep well.”
Michelle, who also works as a night nanny, says that parents who follow her program usually see noticeable improvement in 3-4 days – including fewer nighttime wake ups.
If only she knew 40 years ago what she knows now. (Her baby boys are 37 and 39-years old.) “I remember holding the pacifier in my son’s mouth over the crib, praying he would just go back to sleep. With my first one, I just fed him when he cried. It’s a wonder he didn’t pop.”
Although the industry is filled with online advice, sleep training remains largely unregulated. Michelle, who was a teacher and a nanny, is certified through the Sleep Sense™ Program, developed by Dana Obleman. Obleman was dubbed “the Baby Sleep Boss” by Good Morning America because the program has a 98 percent success rate.
Michelle’s process begins with a detailed questionnaire about sleep habits, daily routine, and the
family’s sleep goals. From there, she creates a fully customized sleep plan and walks parents through it step by step. Parents receive ongoing support through text messages and regular check-in calls to help them stay consistent and confident throughout the process. Consistency is key, so working with a sleep consultant allows the process to be fine-tuned with small changes as needed.
“I give moms and dads tools so that babies can learn,” she says. Her goal is to empower parents to have enough confidence in their abilities so that they can answer their own questions. Turns out sleeping like a baby really is a skill you can teach.
To learn more about Michelle Read Sleep Solutions visit mrsleepsolutions.com.
Driftwood Estate Winery's
Enjoy exclusive benefits, curated events, complimentary tastings, and award-winning Texas wines all year long. From seasonal releases to unforgettable sunsets, membership brings you closer to the people, place, and wines that make Driftwood special. It's more than membership — it's becoming part of a Hill Country tradition built around great wine, beautiful views, and lasting memories.
4001 Elder Hill Rd Driftwood, TX 78619 (512) 858-9667
Fresh Cuts & Fresh Starts
HELPING KIDS WALK INTO A NEW SCHOOL YEAR WITH CONFIDENCE
For most students, back-to-school season means fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, and new clothes. But for many, something as simple as a haircut can become a financial burden. That is where Toni Arredondo, a barber at Capelli’s Barber Salon, has stepped in to make a difference.
Arredondo has worked as a barber for over 15 years, but his passion for helping others began long before he ever picked up a pair of clippers. Growing up in a single-parent household, he understood what it meant to go without certain things. He remembers how special it felt just to get a haircut before school, especially when money was tight. Those memories stayed with him and eventually inspired Cuts for Kids, the community initiative he now leads.
What started as a small event with his former business partner offering around fifty free haircuts, has blossomed into a large community outreach program called Kidz , Cutz, and Curlz . Over the last two years, the event has expanded tremendously, providing nearly 250 free haircuts for children ranging from kindergarten through high school, in addition to free back-to-school backpacks and school supplies. Last year they tipped the scales with donations of over 60 pairs of shoes for kids, all at the same event. Families can register online for the event taking place on August 2, 2026, in the Negley Elementary School parking lot in the Plum Creek subdivision in Kyle, Texas.
Arredondo says the event is about far more than appearance. “A haircut may seem small to some people,” he explained, “but for these kids, it’s confidence.” He’s seen firsthand how students walk into the event nervous or shy, only to leave smiling and standing taller. For many families, especially those with multiple children, the financial relief means everything. And with the aid and support of local businesses and non-profits, like Cynthia Bentley, Kyle
ARTICLE BY SAMANTHA DAVISS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CUTS FOR KIDS
Senior Zone, and now the City of Kyle, Arrendondo is slowly gaining traction with this incredible opportunity of giving back to his community.
The program’s growth has only strengthened its impact. Local businesses, stylists, volunteers, and organizations have rallied behind the cause. Sponsors donate supplies while barbers and stylists volunteer their time to serve the community. The City of Kyle became involved this year and will be helping promote the event and recognize its value to local families.
Some moments have stayed with Arredondo more than others. He recalls parents reaching out after the event with emotional messages of gratitude. One mother even approached him in tears, thanking him for helping her child feel prepared and confident for the new school year. Those moments, he says, are what continue to motivate him.
Organizing an event this large is not without challenges. Finding enough stylists and barbers to volunteer and be willing to donate their time can be difficult, but Arredondo believes the rewards outweigh the sacrifices. “When you give back, you are blessed yourself,” he said.
Looking ahead, Arredondo hopes to continue growing the program each year while encouraging others to find ways to serve their own communities. His message is simple but powerful: “Don’t forget to give back.”
Capellis Barber Salon 512-262-0003 capellisbarbersalon.com
“A haircut may seem small to some people, but for these kids, it’s confidence.”
- Toni Arredondo - Cuts for Kids
Illuminating Shining Stars
Every parent wants their child to find a place where they belong. For some children, that place is a sports field or a science lab. For others—especially imaginative, sensitive, or unconventional kids—it may be a stage, an art studio, a chorus group, or even a light/soundboard behind the scenes of a theater.
The arts have long been recognized as powerful tools for helping young people build confidence, empathy, and resilience. Theater and imaginative play invite children to step into someone else’s shoes and navigate situations that might feel overwhelming in real life.
Public speaking and performing rank among the most common childhood fears, yet theater can offer a structured environment in which young people overcome those fears.
For Angela Burchfield—founder of Burchfield Theatre in Buda—and her family, those benefits are personal and fully lived. Angela believes growth happens when children are given both encouragement and choice.
She and her husband, Tim, opened the theater in February 2025 after witnessing their sons struggle in traditional classroom settings. Both boys were (and are) gifted, yet lacked a place in the “normal” educational system where they could thrive.
“We wanted to have a place for them to develop a community in which to grow in confidence, ability, and self-image ,” Angela says. “A place free of bullying and judgment in which highly talented creative types could meet.”
That desire reflects a challenge many families face. Some young people need opportunities outside of the traditional classroom to express themselves—through movement, music, storytelling, design, or performance. Creative spaces can provide an avenue for connection when other social settings feel daunting or unnatural. “Theater encourages young people to embrace their individuality. It teaches them that the qualities that make them unique are not flaws to be hidden, but strengths to be celebrated,” says Angela.
Mother of five and grandmother of six, Angela spent her life witnessing the transformative power of the arts.
A trained music therapist, vocalist, pianist, director, visual artist, and original founding member of Austinbased rock band Hideous Pink, she has worked with children and adults in hospitals, schools, behavioral health settings, residential facilities, and community programs. Across those experiences, she has seen music and creative expression help people communicate, process emotions, and develop confidence in ways that conventional approaches sometimes cannot.
Where creativity, courage, and community help young people flourish
ARTICLE
BY
PHOTOGRAPHY
ASHLEY BROWN
BY
APRIL RANKIN
At Burchfield Theatre, that philosophy extends beyond acting. While students participate in fully staged plays and musicals, they can also explore costume creation, set construction, stage makeup, lighting, sound, and other technical aspects of production. For many children, finding a creative role behind the curtain can be just as meaningful as stepping into the spotlight. “Any child can find their niche at our theater,” Angela says.
That inclusive approach is particularly important for children who are shy or anxious.
“We do not force them to go on stage,” she says. “It is always by their choice.” Students who aren’t ready to perform can contribute in plenty of other ways. Often, confidence develops naturally as children watch their peers take risks and succeed.
For Angela, one of the most important lessons theater teaches has little to do with acting itself. “Courage is a mixture of bravery and fear,” she tells nervous students. “Without courage, we never get to do the things that we really want to.”
“We wanted to have a place for them to develop a community in which to grow in confidence, ability, and self-image.”
That message resonates far beyond the stage. Whether a child is auditioning for a role, speaking in class, trying out for a team, or simply introducing themselves to a new friend, growth often begins with the willingness to be uncomfortable.
Burchfield Theatre welcomes students from throughout the Hays County area and beyond. And its mission remains rooted in the same simple idea that inspired its founding: every child deserves a place where creativity is valued and individuality is celebrated.
In a world that often emphasizes achievement and measurable outcomes, make-believe still holds remarkable power. Fostering the magic of imagination allows a child to learn not only how to play a role—but how to discover their own voice.
To learn more about Burchfield Theatre visit www.burchfieldtheatre.com.
ARTICLE BY JULIE FUSTANIO KLING PHOTOGRAPHY BY @ITSAPRILMARIE
TODDLING Around AUSTIN
A Day in the Life of a Mommy Instagram Influencer
“Mothers aren’t celebrated nearly enough for all the love, strength, sacrifice, patience, and magic they pour into this world every single day.” That Instagram post, from this past Mother’s Day, is why @itsaprilmarie fills her feed with smiles, sass and girl power. Consider yourself warned if you don’t like pink. April Marie is a lifestyle influencer and mother of two adorable girls who will turn 2 and 3 years old this month. Celebrating her kids is her office as much as fashion shows and travel. If the kids are invited, she’s in.
Want to make the most of theme parks and theme parties? Check out April’s take on everything from Disney World and Great Wolf Lodge to Galentine’s pajama parties. If Marie wasn’t her middle name, Fun would be.
I caught up with April Marie when she was at home in South Austin between her first solo modeling trip since she became a mom, the Miami, Florida swimwear show and an influencer technology networking conference in San Diego.
Like most parents, getting out of the house with two kids under 3 is a whirlwind.
“No day is ever the same in our household,” she says. “As soon as I get in the car, someone says, I have to poopoo.” Between trying to get everyone to smile, potty training and changing diapers, this summer will be non-stop.
Sleep training, forget it. “If I let them cry for 20-40 minutes, my Asian ancestors would whoop me from the heavens above. In the
Pilipino community, everyone is in the same room.”
It is rare when the girls spend the night in their pink twin canopy bed, much less nap at home. Between modeling for Huggies, Carter and Evenflo, among other Target brands, the girls are always out and about. Most of April Marie’s work comes from LTK, formerly known as LIKEtoKNOWit, a Dallas-based shopping platform that allows social media influencers like April Marie to earn commission on products. Even though she works at home (editing Instagram videos can take anywhere from 1-3 weeks), their schedule is anything but routine.
“They will fall asleep in the shopping cart,” she says.
APRIL MARIE’S FAVORITE PLACES TO TODDLE
1. Bright Imaginations Play Café (Kyle) – Caffeine and co-working space for parents, sensory and pretend play spaces for kids, including a doctor’s office, grocery store and baby area.
2. The Thinkery (Mueller) – April Marie’s girls call this the big kids museum. Water tables, a farmer’s market, and science and artbased activities spark curiosity and wonder.
3. Alliance Children’s Garden (Butler Park) – Free splash pads, rock climbing, kids’ tunnels and spectacular skyline vistas. “Every time I post a picture from there, everyone is like where are you?”
4. Buda Playground (Buda) – Train rides, gem mining, and food trucks.
5. Dance Unlimited – In the recital business for more than two decades for kids. “Enroll your kids here. You won’t regret it.”
6. Austin Nature and Science Center (Zilker Park) – Explore the natural world with wildlife exhibits and hands-on activities like the dino pit, where kids dig for bones.
7. Zilker Botanical Garden (Zilker Park) – Look for butterflies on the Woodland Faerie Trail, reflections in the Japanese garden and smell the roses.
8. Mommy & Me walks Outings sponsored by Bumpsuit, a maternity and postpartum clothing company founded by another Austin local. “This is a great way to get out and meet other moms.”
9. The Little Gym (South Austin) –Parent and child classes and open gym for kids from 4 months old to 12 who are growing into their bodies and like to tumble.
10. Music Meadows (Southpark Meadows) – Interactive water fountains and massive oak trees around an amphitheater where they host free concerts. Head over to Southpark Meadows to shop, grab lunch at Another Broken Egg or treat the kids to an ice cream.
Alliance Children's Park
The Thinkery
Packed With Care
Feeding Hope, One Weekend at a Time
For nearly a decade, Trey Williams served as a local family and missions pastor, where he witnessed firsthand the growing impact of food insecurity on children in Central Texas. In 2016, he learned about a weekend backpack program in another community that provided food to students who might otherwise go hungry when school meals weren’t available.
“I immediately thought, ‘Somebody needs to be doing that where I live,’” Williams recalls. After waiting for someone else to step forward, he realized he was the one being called to act. That realization led to the founding of Ancora Ministries and its flagship program, Feed Kids Right Now.
Today, Ancora partners directly with schools across Hays, Travis, and Caldwell counties. Teachers and counselors identify students facing food insecurity, and volunteers deliver bags of nutritious food to participating schools each week. By the end of the 2025–2026 school year, the organization was serving 1,630
students at 52 schools, providing more than 8,000 meals every week.
The impact extends far beyond the food itself. Through annual surveys, families and educators consistently share stories of relief and hope. Parents report that the program helps them stretch limited household resources, while schools note improvements in attendance, behavior, and academic performance. An overwhelming 98% of participating schools request the program’s return each year.
Ancora’s mission is simple: no child should have to worry about where their next meal will come from. Community members, businesses, churches, and organizations can support the effort through monthly giving or by volunteering to pack and deliver food bags. There are many ways for the community to serve.
To learn more or get involved, contact Trey Williams at 512-439-9454, trey@ancoraministries.org , or visit AncoraMinistries.org
Electrical
Uninterruptible Power Supplies
TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
ON MARRIAGE, KIDS, AND THE COMEDY OF REAL LIFE
Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.
Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.
Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”
Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.
After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”
The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.
FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.
Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.
HAIR & MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
CINNAMON MONKEY BREAD IS A FUN DESSERT FOR CHILDREN TO MAKE AND SHARE!
ARTICLE BY PAULI REEP
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
There is little more satisfying to your sweet tooth than ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls. Here is an easy and fun way to make this tearable, shareable treat!
aroun d
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 3 (12 oz.) cans of buttermilk biscuits
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Generously coat the inside of a bundt pan with cooking spray or butter. Melt the butter in a pot or bowl. Mix the sugars and cinnamon in a separate bowl.
Open one can of biscuits, separate, and cut each into four sections. Next, roll each quarter into a ball and then put each one into the sugar mixture to coat. Place the balls in the bundt pan in a single layer and drizzle a little melted butter evenly over the top. Repeat with the other two cans of biscuits. Sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture over the top and bake for 30-35 minutes.
Be sure to let cool for a minute or two before turning the bread onto a plate and carefully removing the pan. If you leave the monkey bread in the pan much longer, it will stick and be hard to remove.
I sometimes make icing, a few tablespoons of milk, to about 1/2 cup of powdered sugar with a splash of vanilla.
Drizzle over the top while warm and enjoy!
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
AUGUST 1ST
Shakespeare in the Park
Blue Hole Regional Park Swim Lawn (333 Blue Hole Ln. Wimberley, TX 78676) | 8:00 PM
This performance of Macbeth is the end product of a 6-week Shakespeare program, which included professional workshops, full rehearsals, and set and costume construction from the Central Texas Theatre Academy and the Wimberley Parks and Recreation Department. Pack a blanket and enjoy free outdoor performances under the Texas stars. Free, but register. August 1st, 2nd, 8th, and 9th. https://wimberleyparksandrec.com/special-events/shakespeare/.
AUGUST 1ST
Build Your Own Clay Collector’s Niche
Project ART Wimberley – 111 River Road #100 | 2:00 PM
In this unique workshop, Artist Amy Crowell will put your fine-motor skills to work by teaching you how to use clay to hand-build miniature displays for your tiny, personal treasures. No prior experience is necessary! This event is open to ages 14+. Registration is required. Visit https://projectartwimberley.corsizio.com/ for more information.
AUGUST 1ST
Summer Reading Celebration
Buda Library - 405 East Loop St. | 3:00 PM
Celebrate the end of a fantastic summer with a prehistoric party! Play games with friends, grab a cupcake, and create some dino-tastic crafts. This event kicks off with a Sensory-Sensitive Friendly time from 1:30-2:00 pm. We invite families with sensory-sensitive family members to attend! Visit https://www.budalibrary.org/ for more information.
AUGUST 2ND
Coffee & Cars - Final Frontier Rescue Project Adoption Event
Blanco Brew | 10:00 AM
Come out to Coffee & Cars at Blanco Brew in Wimberley and meet some adoptable dogs, learn about fostering and volunteering, and more! Look through the Final Frontier Rescue Project page and see if there's a dog you're interested in fostering or adopting. If so, get in touch before the event! Available Dogs: https://tinyurl.com/ffrp-available-dogs. Foster/Adoption Application: http://Tinyurl.com/FFRPshortApp
AUGUST 13TH - 16TH
Just Between Friends Fall Sale
Sunfield Station – 2610 Main Street, Buda
At Just Between Friends you’ll find a clean, organized, family friendly kids’ pop-up sale that will help you say “yes” to more of what matters. From infant onesies to kids of all ages clothing, toys, games, books, puzzles, baby gear, and seasonal finds, it’s all under one roof right here in Austin South. Items are 50-90% off retail!
AUGUST 28TH
Plant Bingo at Middleton Brewing
Middleton Brewing – 101 Oakwood Loop, San Marcos | 7:30 PM
Play bingo, drink beer, win plants! There will be a fun selection of plants for you to pick from. Middleton Brewing is inspired by the hill country, building community one beer at a time. On-site food truck: Los Sancho.
